Exercise

[Guest guest]

Hi!

Recently my rheumy said I should take up some sort of exercise to

strengthen my muscles to help support the joints, especially if I am having

a flare. He said it should be something low impact and all I could think

of was Tai-Chi. I asked him if that was what he meant and he basically

said yes ,as one example, as long as I don't over stress the joints.

I'm curious what others do for exercise and has anyone specifically tried

Tai-Chi? I looked into a class at the local community college but they

wanted to charge 75 bucks to basically try and mimic the instructors

movements. My thinking was I could do that for a lot less money by buying

a video, which I did. It's titled something like " Tai-Chi For Older People

Over Fifty " . I'll say, most of those in the tape look like they're in

their 70's/80's! But I figured if they can do it that I, at only 49, can

too! lol First two days went well but after the third day, my right

knee got tight and slightly swollen, and it was hard and a bit painful

getting around the next couple of days. Now I am apprehensive to go back

to it. That's basically why I am asking about all this as I REALLY need to

strengthen these muscles. Walking is painful and tiring. As someone

mentioned on this list awhile back, the balls of your feet feel like you're

" walking barefoot on Lego's " - Good analogy. Of course there is pain

and/or discomfort in the knees, ankles and a couple toes, too.

So what are the rest of you doing?

Oh, if anyone wants to do like I did and buy a video to follow. I would

suggest you try and get it on DVD if that's an option for you. I didn't

think of this when I got mine and with the rewinding, fast-forwarding,

replaying, etc., this is probably wearing out the tape big time.

Later . . .

Kossart - RA, Type-2 Diabetes

Peru, IL, USA